City will honor soldiers with care packages

Wheaton commission aims to send 835 boxes to members of its adopted Army battalion

November 15, 2012|By Michelle Manchir, Chicago Tribune reporter

Wheaton has long embraced the soldiers of its adopted Army battalion, but as the holiday season rolls around, a city commission is making some extra effort to honor the group.

The city's Community Relations Commission intends to send 835 care packages to each member of the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army, or the Vanguards, which the city of Wheaton adopted in 2006 and named honorary citizens in 2008. The packages will be sent to Fort Riley, Kan., where the members are stationed.

For the first time since then, the commission is working on reaching every soldier in the battalion with the packages.

Commission members want to fill the packages with Uno cards, iTunes gift cards, mints, powdered drink packets, gum and individually wrapped beef jerky. The gifts will also include a T-shirt with the city's seal.

Commission chairperson Renee Webb said the group had a little bit of extra money in its budget this year and wanted to use it to support the battalion. Still, the group does more than send gifts and greeting cards, Webb said.

The commission serves as a liaison between the battalion and city and works year round on supporting members of the battalion, especially its families "with greater needs," Webb said. Members of the commission also have attended the battalion's reflagging ceremony at Fort Riley, Webb said.

"We make a point of letting them know that we're here for them," Webb said.

In 2008, Wheaton Mayor Michael Gresk proclaimed permanent adoption of the battalion and made them honorary citizens of the city.

"We adopted them with the idea that we can give a special thanks to a very small part of the military," he said.

So far, several local schools, businesses and churches have contributed to the packages, including Rotary Club of Wheaton, First Division Museum at Cantigny and RJN Group.

Residents who want to help compile the packages or donate items or money can take items to Wheaton City Hall, Wheaton Public Library or contact Desiray Young, a member of the community relations commission, at desiray@jycon.com. Donations should be submitted Dec. 2.